O Luthier

The Luthier

A little about my story

I am António Monteiro, the person behind the Flor-de-Lis Guitars. I was born on October 17, 1964, in Travanca (Cinfães), the fourth of six children.

The son of farmer parents, I carry within me the humility that life demands, aware of the effort my parents made when they moved to Grijó in search of a better life.

Since that distant winter of 1973, I have lived here, currently with my wife, and where I later built my workshop.

As I write this biography, I thought about telling how everything started; how I developed my work as a luthier and all the challenges inherent to that journey. But since it became too long and confusing, and since I want those who read my story to understand it and feel it, I will tell it as if it were a story I will later tell my grandson Francisco, who is now 3 years old.

"One day, Grandpa To-zé, who had been a carpenter since he was 12 and loved the profession, wanted to learn to play the Portuguese guitar because he loved its sound.

This happened eighteen years ago. You know, Francisco, I wanted to learn, but I didn’t have money to buy a guitar, and then I discovered in the town where I was a scout, in S. Félix da Marinha, just next door, a man named Bruno Martins, who taught various instruments; among them, the Portuguese guitar.

That old and beloved man, who later became my friend, gave me a huge challenge: to build the guitar where he would later teach me how to play; a challenge I embraced with all my happiness.

Although it was difficult and demanding, and it took months to build what I now make in one, I enjoyed the process so much, of playing something that came from my hands, that I never stopped.

After all this time, I have made many dozens of instruments, from Portuguese guitars to classical guitars, including fado guitars and the entire mandolin family. Every instrument has its peculiarities, and that is what makes them unique.

But you know, I also failed a lot. I also got frustrated. But that’s part of it! Only through mistakes do we evolve and learn to be better, to perfect what is good and make it even better—after all, your grandfather is an eternal perfectionist. If you ever want to, Francisco, Grandpa will teach you everything he knows so that you can continue bringing music to those who need it. Until then, I will be here, watching you carve your own path."

A hug, António